When amateur astronomers grow old and wish to donate their telescope and observatory to their local club, who assesses the value?

The issue of appraising telescopes and related equipment comes up often among members of the Antique Telescope Society, many of whom are collectors. Some years back, we had a professional appraiser speak at one of our annual meetings. Surprising many of us, she warned us regarding the legal danger of offering appraisals without being credentialed as a professional appraiser.

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